If you're looking for a place in New York City that blends sky-high views with immersive, photo-worthy spaces, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is hard to beat. At 1,100 feet above Manhattan, this observation deck isn’t just about the views — it’s an experience built for your camera and your senses.
A view that stretches beyond the city
From the moment you step onto SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, you're surrounded by open-air panoramas that feel like they never end. On clear days, you can see up to 80 miles away. Right in front of you stands the Empire State Building, almost at eye level. Look around and you’ll easily spot icons like the Chrysler Building, One World Trade Center, Central Park, and bridges stretching across to Brooklyn and beyond.
What makes Summit One Vanderbilt different from other observation decks like Top of the Rock or Edge is how immersive it is. Here, you’re not just standing behind glass panels — you're stepping into art installations, mirrored rooms, and outdoor terraces that make you feel like you’re part of the skyline itself.
Recommended tickets to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt photos
Experience zones and installations: Where to snap the best photos
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is divided into different zones, each giving you a new way to interact with the space:
Air
This is the massive mirrored room where reflections create endless illusions. Every step feels like you're floating. It's surreal and perfect for wide-angle shots or playful portraits where the skyline becomes part of your reflection.
Levitation
Here you'll find the glass skyboxes that extend beyond the building’s edge. Step onto the glass floor and you’re standing 1,100 feet above Madison Avenue with nothing but air below you. It's thrilling — and if you're someone who wants to challenge a fear of heights, this is the spot to do it. Even if your knees wobble a little at first, it’s worth it for that one photo of you standing above the city.
Affinity
This playful room is filled with floating silver spheres that create a dreamlike backdrop. Move around, interact with the orbs, and catch fun, candid shots that look like you’re in a scene from a futuristic movie.
Unity
In this zone, your face gets captured and transformed into clouds of color projected onto massive walls. It’s more of a creative experience, perfect for those abstract, artistic shots that stand out in your photo roll.
Summit terrace
The outdoor terrace brings you face-to-face with New York’s skyline. It’s the best place for those classic skyline shots, especially with the Empire State Building glowing just behind you.
Night views: New York City in lights
If you can plan your visit to stretch into the evening then nothing like it! As the sun sets, the sky shifts from golden to deep blue, and you get to see the city go through this dramatic transformation. First, the soft twilight colors paint the horizon, then one by one, the lights of New York start to flicker on — rooftops, streets, bridges, everything. It’s a great moment to capture, and if you love photography, this is arguably the best time to be up here.
The Empire State Building lights up right across from you. You’ll also see famous rooftops like 30 Rockefeller Plaza and One Vanderbilt’s own glowing crown. As night falls completely, the view becomes even more mesmerizing with the city grid sparkling far into the distance.
Tip: Early morning visits are also a great choice if you want crisp, high-contrast shots. With fewer visitors around and softer light, you can really bring out the architectural lines of the skyline in your photos.
Photography tips for SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Getting amazing shots here is easy, but a few quick tips can help you capture even more striking photos:
- Timing: If you want the best of both worlds — daylight and night shots — aim to book your ticket about an hour before sunset.
- Dress in layers—some areas are open-air and can get a bit chilly at night.
- Gear: A smartphone is more than enough, but a wide-angle lens on a camera helps you capture the full scale of the mirrored rooms and cityscape.
- Settings for night shots: Keep ISO low (around 400–800) to reduce grain. Use a slower shutter speed to bring out city lights clearly, and steady your hand against the glass or use a small tripod if it's allowed.
- Reflections: In Air, move slowly and use symmetry to create mirror-like compositions.
- Skybox shots: When you're standing in Levitation, shoot from a low angle to capture the drop beneath your feet along with your face — it makes the image way more dramatic.
- Avoid glare: If you're shooting through glass, especially at night, press your camera lens right up against the glass panel to cut down on reflections.
